Right-wing activist Charlie Kirk was assassinated on Wednesday during a campus event in Utah. He was 31.
An aide of US President Donald Trump, Mr Kirk co-founded Turning Point USA in 2012 with Bill Montgomery. The Phoenix-based nonprofit promotes conservative principles such as fiscal responsibility, free markets, and limited government among high school and college students. Mr Kirk reportedly transformed it into a national network of more than 850 campus chapters.
The organisation quickly grew across universities in the US and is famous for hosting big events like the Student Action Summit and AmericaFest, which encourage young people to get involved in conservative politics.
TPUSA has also made controversial "watchlists," such as the Professor Watchlist and School Board Watchlist, which name teachers and school officials they believe are promoting left-wing ideas or treating conservative students unfairly.
TPUSA extended its reach through media projects such as Turning Point Live and The Charlie Kirk Show, as well as documentaries, including Border Battle and Identity Crisis. Mr Kirk also founded affiliated organisations, including Turning Point Action, a political advocacy arm; Turning Point Faith, engaging religious communities on conservative issues; and the Turning Point Endowment, which supports long-term initiatives. Last year, TPUSA reported revenue of $85 million.
Mr Kirk played a major role in galvanising support for Donald Trump, particularly among younger voters. Through events like the Student Action Summit and AmericaFest, he mobilised young conservatives and provided a platform for Trump to engage directly with this demographic.
In the lead-up to the 2024 presidential election, Mr Kirk launched the "You're Being Brainwashed" tour, visiting approximately 25 college campuses to debate key political topics. This initiative got around two billion viral views on social media, hugely amplifying Trump's message among Gen Z voters. His efforts are said to have helped shift younger voter demographics towards the right and contributed to Trump's electoral success in swing states.
On September 10, Mr Kirk was shot dead while taking questions from attendees at an outdoor event on the campus of Utah Valley University in Orem. Authorities confirmed that a person of interest has been questioned and released, with the shooter believed to still be at large.
He is survived by his wife, Erika Frantzve Kirk, whom he married in 2021, and their two young children.
In honour of Mr Kirk, Donald Trump ordered all US flags to be flown at half-mast until sundown on Sunday.
